Folding bedstead.



No. 65|,750. Patented lune I2, |900.

W. L. DISMUKES. FOLDING BEnsTEAD.

n (Application filed Oct. 21', 1899.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

me Norms mais PHoTaLrrNo.. wAsmum'o n. c.

N. 651,750.. Patented lune l2, 1900.

W. L. DISMUKES.

FULDING BEDSTEAD.

(Application filed Oct. 211 1899.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

.l ,l l y" UNITED STATI-3s' PATENT FFICE.

WILLIAM LANIs DIsMUKns, or NASH-VILLE, TENNESSEE. y

FOLDING BEDSTEAD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 651,750, dated June 12, 1900.

Application led October 21, 1899. i Serial No, 734,364. (No model.) l l To all whom t may concern,.-

MUKEs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Nashville, in the county of Davidson and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and useful Folding Bedstead, of which the following is a specification. A

This invention relates to bedsteads, and has for its object to provide certain new and useful improvements whereby the bedstead may be readily and conveniently folded into compact form. It is furthermore designed to provide a single locking device for locking the bedstead in each of its folded and set-up positions; also, to provide an improved hinge connection between the legs at the foot of the bed and the adjacent side rails, so that said legs may be folded against the side rails in the folded position `of the bedstead, and, finally, to provide a detachable connection between the footboard and the adjacentlegs which firmly maintains the latterand the side rails in their set-up positions and also permits of the ready detachment of the footboard, so that the latter `may be suspended from the side rails and between `the latter `and the headboard.

Tothese ends the present inventionconsists inthe combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed, shown in the accompanying draw-` ings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the form, proportion, size, and' minor details may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In-the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a bedstead constructed in accordance with the present invention. and shown in the set-up position thereof. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the bedstead in its folded position. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional View taken longitudinally through one of the side rails and illustrating the manner of locking the same. Fig. 4t is a'detail vertical sectional view taken longitudinally through one of the side rails and also through the connection between the end of the latter and the adjacent leg at the foot of the bedstead.` Fig. 5 is a horizontal transverse sectional view l taken on the line fr c of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a Beit known that I, WILLIAM LANIs Drs-` detail longitudinal sectional view illustrating `the adjustable telescopic construction of the cross-rails of the bedstead. Fig. 7 is a detail `perspective view of a portion of one end of the bedstead and illustrating a modified' arrangement of the locking device. Fig. 8 is a detail sectional elevation of Fig. 7 and illustrating the folded position of the modified form. Fig. 9 is a detail vertical sectional View showing a modified form of the hinged or pivotal support for the side rails. Fig. 10 is a 'detail perspective view showing the `members of the pivotal or hinged connection detached. l

Corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings are indicated by like charac- `ters of reference.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, l and 2 designatethe head and foot boards, respectively, of the improved bedstead, the upright and transverse rails of which are adjustably connected, preferably, by the means illustrated in my former patent, No. 632,254, and dated September 5, 1899. However, it is n ot `essential that the head and foot boards be adjustable, but may be of any design or type, as desired.

It will be understood thaethefmme of the bedstead is formed of metal tubing either rounded or angular in cross-section, and comprises opposite side rails which are connected. at opposite ends by the respective transverse rails V4: and 5. As best illustrated in Fig. 1, it will be seen that each side rail is provided with an inwardly1 projecting angular extension 6, to which the cross-rail 4. is connected by means of a telescopic joint 7. (Shown in Fig. 6.) It will be understood that each of the several transverse rails or members is provided with one or more similar telescopic connections, so as to permit of lateral adjustment of the frame.

VThe respective side rails are pivotally mounted upon a supporting-frame carried by the adjacent leg of the headboard, and such frame comprises upper and lower members 8 IOO the upper member, and the latter is braced. by an upright 10, rising from an intermediate portion Yof the lower member, and near the outer end of thelatter there is provided a pendant foot or leg 11 to rest upon the door,

As clearlyV and thereby support the frame. illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 7, the upper member 8 is connected to the side of the'upright 10, so as to expose the upper end of the latter, which is provided with a longitudinal bifurcation or notch 12, extending 'transversely of the frame and adapted to pivotally support a headed pivot-pin 13, carried by the adjacent side .rail and projecting laterally outward therefrom. From the foregoingdescription it will be apparent that each side rail is pivotally mounted intermediate of itsV ends, and such pivotal points are alined transversely of the bedstead, so that the outer endslof the rails may be swung or folded upward toward the headboardinto an upright position, as shown in Fig. 2, thereby folding the bedstead into compact form.

In order that the side rails may be firmly" locked and held against accidental movement in the set-np as well as folded positions there" y the under sides of the respective side rails. VThese seats preferably extend at opposite sides of the uprights 16, so as to form a substantial bearing for the side rails, and the inner ends toward-the pivotal axis of the side rails are provided with longitudinal bifurcations 18 for engagement with pendent headed lugs or pins 19, provided upon the under sides of the side rails. When the bedstead is in its set-u p position, as indicated in Fig. 1, the lock-` ingframe is swung upward upon its opposite `pins or lugs 2O,l and thereby locks the framev pivots as a center, so that the seats lZ may bear against the under sides of the side railsr and also receive the stop pins or lugs 19, whereby the locking device is held against accidental movement and the bedstead-frame is `firmly held or locked in its set-up position. signed that the same locking device may be employed to lock the bedstead-frame in its folded position, and to carry out this design the head ends ofthe side rails are also provided with pendent stop pins or lugs 20, and when the frame has been folded into a vertical plane, las shown in Fig. 2, the locking deviceis folded over into engagement with the inl thefolded position thereof. By reason of thebifuvrcated seats 17 it will be understood that the locking device may be conveniently disconnectedfrom the several stop pins o'r As hereinbefore set forth, it is also dej.

lugs when it is desired tochangethe position ofthe bedstead-frame In some instances it may not be desirable 'to lock the frame in advance of the pivotal axis thereof, and therefore the locking-frame may be located at the head of the frame and pivoted between the opposite legs thereof, as shown in Fig. 7. vIn this arrangement each Vside rail is provided with opposite stop pins or lugs 21, located adjacent to the head end of the rail and projecting above and below the latter, so that the lower pins are engaged by the locking device .in the set-up position 'of the frame and the upper pins are engaged `in the folded position, as indicated in Fig. 8;` VWhen the locking device is located at onel end of the bedstead, the lower member!) of the su pporting-frame is preferably of the same length as the upper member 8, and the foot 11 is located longitudinally beneath the upright 10. v

To provide for folding the legs at the 'foot `iof thebedstead, I have designed a hinge con-V nection, as best illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of ythe drawings. The foot end of each side rail is provided with an enlarged and substantiallyrectangular head 22, carryingA at. its outer end a semitubular upright member 23,

`and also having atransverse opening orperforaton 24 extending` entirely through the head. At the adjacent end of the cross-rail 5 Vthere is provided a substantially L-shaped head 25, which project-s outwardly and also transversely across the ou-ter side of the head 22 and is provided with an vinwardly or rearwardly extending flange or lip 26, loosely embracing the opposite outer side ofthe head 22. To the under side of the outer portion of the head25 is secured the leg 27, which is preferably hollow, as indicated in Fig. 4, and extending from the upper side of the head is an upright semitubular member 28, designed for cooperation with the opposite member 22. Extending outwardly from the head 25 and longitudinally of the cross-rail 5 is a pivot-pin 29, loosely received within the opening in the v head 22, so as to pivotally mount the member l25 upon the end of the adjacent side rail. From the foregoing description and by reference to Fig. 2 it willrbe apparent that the opposite legs 27 may be folded against the Linder sides of the side rails, thereby separating the semitubular members 23 and 28, and that the latter also come together and form sockets for the reception of the lower ends of the u'prights 29 of the footboard in the set-up position of the bedstead.' As shown in Fig. 4, the lower end of eachupright 29 isA provided with a reduced pin 30, which is designed to be received between the opposite semitubu.- lar members and also to project into the hollow leg 2,7, the hinge member 25 being provided with an opening 31 to permit of said pin passing into the 'hollow leg. At the upper IOO IIO

end of the pin 30 and surrounding the latter is a sleeve 32, open at its lower end and designed to embrace the opposite semitubular members, so as to clamp the'latter upon the pin 30, and thereby lock the foldable legs against accidental movement. Also the lower end of the sleeve rests upon the respective hinge members 22 and 25, so as to support the footboard upon the respective ends or the side rails.

As indicated in Figs. l and 2, the an'ge 2G of the movable hinge member 25 terminates short of the pivot-pin 29, and when the legs are folded said flange is located at the under side of the ixed member 22 or adjacent end of the side rail, so that the latter may be detached laterally by reason of the telescopic connections of the several transverse rails of the bedstead-frame. When it is desired to disconnect the side rails, the footboard is removed therefrom and the frame is lifted from its pivotal bearings, so that it may not be confined by the opposite supporting-frames and also by the legs at the head of the bedstead, After the legs have been'folded against the frame and the latter also folded into upin the outer ends of the semitubular mem-v bers 23, thereby locating the footboard between the side rails and the headboard.

A modified form of pivotal support for each side rail has been shown in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings. In this latter form the pivotpin 13 is braced by means of a substantially L-shaped bracket 35, projecting laterally outward from the side rail and located in advance of the pivot-pin. While preferable, it is not essential that thebracket be L-shaped, as the lateral portion thereof may be dispensed with. However, the main portionof the bracket extends below the pivot-pin and is provided with a rearwardly-proj ecting stop pin or lug 36, 1ocated intermediate of the bracket and terminating short of said pivot-pin. In the set-up position of the side rail the stop-pinv 36 is designed to enter an opening 37, provided in the forward side of the upright l0 and located at a point below the base of the bifurcation 12, so as to aid in bracing the side rail. By locating the bracket and stop-pin in advance of the pivot-pin and the supporting-upright 10 said stop-pin may be readily disengaged from the upright when the rail is being folded upward, and also passes above the upper end of the upright without engaging therewith.

What I claim is- 1. In a folding bedstead, the combination with the side rails thereof, of a pivotal and hinged support therefor, and a locking device for the rails, comprising opposite pivotal or hinged uprights mounted independently of the side rails and movable into positions at substantially right angles, and also provided with seats located at the free ends of the respective uprights and for detachable engagement with the side rails in both positions thereof, the uprights being vertically disposed in the open position of the side rails, and horizontally disposed in the folded position of said rails. l

2. In a folding bedstead, the combination of the side rails thereof, having opposite stop pins or shoulders, and pivotally or hingedly mounted intermediate of their ends, and a locking device,comprising opposite pivotallymounted uprights for engagement with the respective stop pins or shoulders, in both positions of the side rails.

3. In a folding bedstead, the combination with pivotally or hingedly mounted'side rails, having opposite stop pins or shoulders, of a locking device, comprising opposite pivotallymounted uprights, having bifurcated seats for engagement with the respective side rails and stop pins or shoulders, in both positions of the rails.

4. In a folding bedstead, the combination with the side rails thereof, having transversely-alined pivot-pins, brackets adjacent to the pins, and stop pins or lugs carried by the brackets, of a pivotal support for eachof the pivot-pins, and having an opening for the detachable reception of the stop pin or lug.

5. In a bedstead, the combination with the side rails, having clamping members at the ends thereof, of legs pivoted to the respec= tive side rails, and having clamping members cooperating with the former clamping memh bers, and a foot or head board having the lower end of the u prights detachably engaged by the respective clamping members, and means for locking the latter uponthe uprights.

6. In a bedstead, the combination, with the side rails, having semitubular clamp members IOO at the ends thereof, of legs pivoted to the reclamp members, and a foot or head board hav ing the lower ends of its uprights detachably engaged by the respective clamp members, and means for locking the latter upon the uprights.

7. Ina bedstead, the combination with the side rails, having semitubular clamp members at the ends thereof, of legs pivoted to the respective side rails, and having semitubular clamp members cooperating with the former clamp members, and a foot or head board having the lower ends of its uprights'detachably received between the respective clamp members, and provided with sleeves detachably embracing the respective semitubular clamp members. v

S. In a bedstead, the combination with the side rails, having clamping members at the ends thereof, of legs, each of the latter having a substantially L-shaped head fitting the inner side of the adjacent rail, and provided with a pivot-pin mounted in a perforation formed in the rail, a iiange overlapping the outer side of the rail, andl terminating short of the pivot-pin, a clamping member for co- IIO operation with the former clamp member, and

a foot'or head board, having the lower ends` of its upright-s detaehably engaged by the respective clamp members, and means for locking lthe latter upon the uprights.` l

9. In a folding bedstead, the combination with the side rails thereof pivoted or hinged to fold vertically, and provided With clamping members, of folding legs pivoted to the side rails, and having clamping members eooperating withthe former clamping members, and a footboard, having the lower ends of its upri ghtsdetachabl yen gaged bythe respective elamping members, and also provided with hooks for engagement with openings formed 151 in the clamping members or the side rails, V:and for suspending the footboard between the headboard and the side rails, in the folded rposition of the latter.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as 2o my own I have hereto affixed my signature in 1the presence of two witnesses.

Witnesses:

D. C. HUGHES, J. A. STEBBINs.

WILLIAM LANIS DIS MUKES. 

